The Author

Eve Ensler, Tony Award winning playwright, performer, and activist, is the author of The Vagina Monologues, which has been translated into over 48 languages and performed in over 140 countries. Ensler wrote the first draft of the monologues in 1996 following interviews she conducted with more than 200 women about their views on sex, relationships, menstruation, birth, etc.

The Campaign

V-Day is a global movement of grassroots activists dedicated to generating broader attention and funds to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sex slavery. The 'V' in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina.

The Mission

V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women

V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely

V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now

V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities

V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavours throughout the world

V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops

V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence

V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community

V-day's work is grounded in four core beliefs

Art has the power to transform thinking and inspire people to act

Lasting social and cultural change is spread by ordinary people doing extraordinary things

Local women best know what their communities need and can become unstoppable leaders

One must look at the intersection of race, class, and gender to understand violence against women

What V-Day Does

Creates dialogue and shatter taboos around violence against women and girls through thousands of events in over 140 countries.

Inspires and supports activists who are working to create a world where women and girls are nurtured and protected, through grassroots activism, public education activities and support services for survivors.

Inspires and supports activists who are working to create a world where women and girls are nurtured and protected, through grassroots activism, public education activities and support services for survivors.

How V-Day Does It

Supports local activists in producing benefit performances of Eve Ensler's award winning play The Vagina Monologues and other creative vehicles, the proceeds of which are invested in local anti-violence activities.

Encourages V-Day performances around the world to Spotlight and raise awareness for especially egregious situations of abuse against women in order to focus global attention on places often forgotten by the mainstream media.

Directs a portion of the proceeds from local V-Day performances around the world to support existing groups and create new local groups that will continue the anti-violence work for years to come.

Partners with artists, activists, and other social movements to broaden the human and financial resources dedicated to ending violence against women and girls.

Identifies grassroots leaders in the movement to end violence against women and support them politically and financially so they may expand and deepen their leadership capacity and train others to become leaders.